Ann Kathryn Stiles, age 53, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, May 8, 2013 in Sedro-Woolley, Washington. She was born May 12, 1959 in Neenah, Wisconsin the daughter of James and Kathryn (Pheifer) Votava.
Ann grew up in Wisconsin, later moving to Darien, Connecticut where she excelled in high school gymnastics becoming a state gymnastics champion, graduating in 1977 from Darien High School. She attended the University of New Hampshire where she competed in gymnastics and competed in the National Championships in Seattle. Ann transferred to the University of Wisconsin in Eau Claire, Wisconsin and graduated with a degree in Health Care Administration in 1982.
Ann began her management career working in nursing home facilities in Wisconsin and Utah, later moving to Washington where she worked as executive director for Village Concepts at Harbor Tower Village in Oak Harbor and Country Meadow Village in Sedro-Woolley. She had a flair for making places thrive and the ability to influence her employees to strive for excellence because she would not ask anyone to do something she wouldn’t do herself. Ann deemed it a privilege to serve the residents of the facilities she managed.
Her interests first and foremost were her children and everything else came second. She was a mother to every child that entered her life especially her children’s friends and she left a deep impact to everyone that she touched. Her activities included running, hiking, and biking competitively, many times placing first in her age group. She ran her first marathon in Minneapolis and later in Utah in the dessert. She coached gymnastics while living on Whidbey Island. Ann loved flowers, gardening, and especially tulips. She was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Sedro-Woolley Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce, and was on the Board of Trustees of Josephine Sunset Home in Stanwood.
Ann supported charities far and wide and last year went to Mexico to build homes with members from Bethlehem Lutheran Church and has sponsored a girl in Thailand for many years. Her kindness knew no bounds and she loved to give to others.
She is survived by her husband Brian Stiles whom she married on November 11, 2011, of the family home in Sedro-Woolley. Her son, Patrick Myatt of Bellingham and her daughter Mary Kelley of the family home. Step-Daughters, Alicia Stiles of Woodinville and Kaylee Stiles and Sarah Diamond and two twin granddaughters, Kinsey and Emry Hanson all of Sedro-Woolley. Her parents, James and Kathryn Votava of Neenah, WI and brother, Scott Votava and his wife Connie of Marshall, MI and sister, Amy Hemphill and her husband Dave of Minneapolis, MN. Seven nieces and nephews and the many family members of the Stiles Family. She was preceded in death by her previous husband Tim Kelley on July 31, 2003.
Funeral Services will be held Thursday, May 16, 2013 at 2:00PM at Bethlehem Lutheran Church 1006 Wicker Rd Sedro-Woolley with Pastor Darrell Schoen officiating with cremation to follow the services. A reception will follow after the service in the parish hall. Visitation is available at Lemley Chapel on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday from 9:00AM to 5:00PM. Memorials are suggested to Esperanza Mission Work in Tijuana, Mexico care of Bethlehem Lutheran Church 1006 Wicker Rd Sedro-Woolley, WA 98284.
Dear Brian and family ~
I just learned of the passing of your wife, Ann, and want to say how very sorry I am for your loss and this valley you are walking through. Although I didn’t have the privilege of knowing Ann, it is obvious from reading her obituary and the messages in the guestbook, that she was a treasure and such a joy to those who knew her.
May you and your family know the strength and loving kindness of God’s everlasting arms as each day unfolds.
Judy (Coggins) Owings
Missoula, MT
My prayers go out to Ann’s family. What fun my sisters (Linda & Wendy) and I had with our neighbor and friend “Annie”. I remember many hours on the back porch playing with our Barbies, tea parties, and doing cartwheels all over the yard! Later Ann and I were teammates on the gymnastics team at Neenah High School, and she was one who inspired me and encouraged me to join the team. I’m confident that her continued to encourage and inspire others throughout her life. I pray for God’s comfort and peace for her precious family and friends.
I am so saddened to hear about Ann’s death. I had so much fun with her on the gynmastics team at Neenah High School and shared many happy memories watching her perform fearlessly on the balance beam in her backyard. I was always so impressed by her confidence and grace. Sadly, we did not keep in touch, but I want you to know that she touched my life deeply – accepting me when I often felt like I was on the outside. Her smile was contagious. All of her family and friends are in my thoughts and prayers.
To the family of Ann. She was working at Harbor Towers when my father lived there. She was always so helpful and kind with my dad. I think you must be a very special person to be able to work with the elderly and make them happy and comfortable in their later years. I am very sorry for your loss and will say an extra prayer for Ann. She was very kind and special.
Dear Brian, Patrick, Mary and family,
I just read in the newspaper this morning of Ann’s passing. Words cannot express how stunned and saddened I am. We knew it was fate that brought us together as friends when we met at the gym on Whidbey Island. We were both in the process of applying for jobs in the Elder Care field and discovered our children were friends too. I will never forget when we went to the amazing Elton John/Billy Joel concert and spent the night in Seattle. We had many deep conversations and lots of laughs that I will treasure. My heart goes out to all of you, her parents and all of her family.
Dear Pat, I am so sorry about your mom. We only visited a few times, but it always felt like we had been friends forever. She was so proud of you. Sara Beust
I was sadden to hear of Anne’s sudden passing. I knew her when our daugther’s were in 1st & 2nd grade together. She was always so kind, cheerful, & caring. My thoughts & prayers are with her children, family, & friends. Cherish the wonderful memories. Take Care
We were all very sorry to hear of your unexpected loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Brian & Family,
We were all very sorry to hear of your unexpected loss. Our thoughts are with you all.
The Nerstens
We are very saddened to hear of Ann’s passing. We enjoyed visiting with her and the children on Whidbey Island. Shirley remembers her great performances in gymnastics in Darien and we both cherish the memories of many Christmas Eve dinners together. We will say extra prayers for the children and the rest of her family.
Brian and Family,
I am sorry to hear of your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and in my prayers.
Gloria
To Ann’s Brian, her children, Mr. and Mrs. Votava, Scott, Amy and all family,
I am beyond stunned to hear of this tragic news. Ann and I found ourselves as new neighbors in 1975 in Darien . Both moving there in high school, we became famous buds as we navigated our way through new territory. The news of her passing, while sucking the air out of my chest, has also stirred up memories that I had not recalled in decades. Gymnastics (with the balance beam in the back yard), her Mustang (how COOL was that girl from Wisconsin), the ability to wear white knee socks with platform sandals with FINESSE, James Taylor records blaring from her record player!!, Christmas Eve dinners with the families, visting at UNH….memories that are precious. I learned the news from my aunt who lives on Whitby Island. My parents had visited with Ann and her children when they were last there. I kept track of her “moves” through my folks who have continued to be in touch with you Mr and Mrs V. I was so happy to hear that she had remarried and as we all do, had said I have to reconnect with Annie, it has been too long! Ann, you have always been in my heart and I will always remember your smile, your explosive and magnificent gymnastics talent and the honest embracing soul that was you….I send my love to you all…she was a true blue love. My deepest sympathies to you all,, much love and prayers for God’s grace in helping you through the times ahead.
Hi Brian. Just saw this online. Will be prayingfor you.
Jim Cannon.
Brian and all of the Stiles, Pheifer, and Votava families:
We are so very sorry for the loss of Ann. We enjoyed getting to know her as she recently joined the Rotary Club. We knew she was a Packers fan after her first meeting! She was vibrant, funny, and beautiful. She will be dearly missed by all who knew her.
Patrick: I was so sorry to hear of the passing of your Mother. She was a beautiful lady and was very proud of you and your sister. My thoughs and prayers are with your family in these times of sadness. Take care.
Your FAVORITE Bus Driver and Alissa and Cameron’s Gram. HUGS to you
Our deepest sympathy to you Brian and your family. You are in our prayers.
–David and Rebecca Lowell
I was so sorry to hear of Anne’s passing in the South Whidbey Record this week. She was a wonderful woman and I so enjoyed knowing her when her son, Pat, was in my 4th and 5th grade class. Anne was a warm, caring, energetic woman and loved her kids and was so involved in their learning and lives. Pat, I am thinking about you and your family during this time. She had a positive impact on all that knew her.
Our prayers go out to you and your family, along with our heartfelt condolences. God bless you, Brian.
My condolences to Ann’s family. I went to high school with Ann in Neenah and just want to share a little story about Ann. I could not do a cartwheel for the life of me and Ann was going to fix that! We spent a gym class with Ann trying over and over again to get me to complete a cartwheel, they all ended up with us in a heap on the floor, laughing. Finally, Ann just picked me up and spun me over ! She was not going to let me fail. I’m sure there are many stories of Ann picking someone up and not letting the fail.
With sympathy, Susan Nuttall-Dunsirn
Dear Katie & Jim,
Please accept our very deepest sympathy on the recent loss of your beautiful daughter, Ann. We just found out this afternoon and are still in shock. Please know that you are all in our daily thoughts and prayers and know that God will help you through this most difficult time! Please extend our sympathy to Scott and his family and Amy and her family . Our most sincere sympathy, love and prayers, Pattie and David
Dear Katie & Jim,
Please accept our deepest sympathy on the loss of your beautiful daughter, Ann and express our sympathy to Scott and his family and Amy and her family and also to Ann’s children and her husband! We found out the terrible news this afternoon and are in shock. Please know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers Katie and Jim and that we are thinking of you and pray that God will bless you all and help you through this most difficult time. Our love, prayers and many hugs!
Pattie and Dave
To the Stiles family: The Sam Family sends our condolences during this time of your loss, Prayer’s are with you and the family during this hard time. From the Family of Harlan and Darlene Sam
Ann was a delightful bounce of energy. My son played sports with Pat and I have enjoyed years of mothering chatter from the sidelines with Ann and Mary. I am shocked and saddened by this news of her passing. My sympathies to all her friends and family.
Votavas, Stiles, and Ann’s children, and many other friends,
I wish I had words to ease your pain, hasten your healing. I can only share the fondness with which I remember Ann, and let you know that she will always have a special place in my heart. Ann was truly a good person, and someone who consistently treated others well. She was clearly raised in a loving family! She was very compassionate, and as I read the descriptions of how she lived her life, she continued to share her goodness and gifts with others. I feel really blessed to have known her, although it was some time ago. And I share in your sorrow.
Ann will be remembered for being a very special person!
Warm Regards and Sympathy,
Katie Gehr
Ann will forever be a great love in my life for she taught me how to dance and how to fly!
She taught me the routines she competed at State and I competed them as an all-around for Neenah
High School. I learned so many lessons from her that I teach to my own kids now. A truly special soul, she blessed so many people with her energy and loving heart. May we all live our lives with so much enthusiasm. Gold bless her family with love and peace.
You have my extreme condolences. I did not know Ann, but through her wonderful daughter Mary. In the tough times to follow our family will be there wherever we can serve you in your time in need.
Sincerly,
The Amundsons Dustin, Monica, Kortni.
Just heard the tragic news today while visiting with John. So sorry Brian. Prayers to you and your family.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this most difficult time.
Anne’s Aunt Marty (Marcia Pheifer) Westwater, cousins Andrea Westwater and Marcie Westwater-Christoffersen
Please receive my kind empathy and sorrow for this sad sad loss of Ann. I so remember our gymnastic days and the laughter and shenanigans we shared. Ann was always game on with a smile and twinkle in her eye! Many hours on the mat and beam spent with Ann and the team. May you all be held in love and gentle hugs.
Brian… So sorry to hear of the passing of your wife. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time.
Brian ~
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your beautiful wife. My condolences on your loss. Thinking of you and the girls and sending you all much love and hugs. Praying for comfort for you and that you may have peace in your hearts.
Jen
Brian,
I am so very sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. May you find comfort and peace in the Lords comfort.
Mickey
I am so very sorry for your loss. Ann was a beautiful soul. I met her a few months ago when she became the new ED at Country Meadow Village. We immediately hit it off. We had both experienced loss and had again found happiness (remarriage) in later life. She was so proud of her children and very much in love with Brian.
She was so kind. She loved her residents. I called her “sassy pants” because she always looked amazing. My heart breaks for her family. I am so grateful for the time I knew her. She left the people she interacted with better for having known her.
Thinking of my long-time friend, and former boss Ann Votava. Ann and I worked together in Seattle WA and while she was still living in Utah. We formed a strong friendship. I learned many lesons from her at Hilhaven and we made some great strides together.She was very competitive, had the highest expectations for her prgrams and her staff. Througth her leadersip, she made a remarkable difference for many older adults.
I remember the joy she felt with the birth of her 1st child and the hundreds of pictures that she shared. She was so proud!
I recall the 1st time I took her to see the tulip fields in the Skagit Valley – we both loved tulips and she was overcome with the beauty of it all. She moved back to Utah, I moved to Lousville, KY and Colulmbia, SC after awhile we lost touch over the years, and I had just recently found out she was in Sedro Wooley – back in the land of the tulips.
Ann, may you rest in peace and may you have fields of tulips at your feet and paths to hike and run . She would wish and expect us all to live our lives fully and love deeply.
Blessings to my sweet friend and her family.
Denise Dickinsen
Please know that you are in the Kelley’s family prayers. We wish you peace in this difficult time.
I am very sorry for your loss. Ann was an amazing person who brought great joy and cheer whenever and wherever you interacted with her. I remember when I applied for an open seat on the city council, that night I saw her at church at a soup supper. I remember being extremely nervous. But when she saw me, she immediately came up to me an gave me great encouragement and told me how excited she was for me. I wasn’t so anxious after that. She knew just how to lift a person’s spirit. That is how I remember Ann. A kind, vibrant and joyful woman. It goes without saying that she will be greatly missed.